Crown of Shadows Pt.II [IC]

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[arnon]

"And if not common," says Shelg, "we might want to divert the astirax... lure it to follow a false trail."

Naturally, his mind has been going to more permanent solutions at first. This was his training, his first instincts. But in a place such as this city, any dead might just turn to Fell.

[Harrowed]

She nods as she glances out the slates over the window. The wheelhouse shudders, as if from a rut in the road. Magic is common to a certain amount, more common then on the plains but less then the Fey I'd imagine. However, I've been informed by my Channeler that out Queen throws out an aura. I believe he compared it to detecting a pouring decanter in a rainstorm.

The Wheelhouse comes to a shuddering stop and the door opens moments later. A porter sets a set of stairs at the bottom and several skull masked guards move past the open doorway.

The house should be called a fort. A high outer wall with a walkway and several small guardhouse at the corners of the walls. Behind the Wheelhouse a small gatehouse with a portcullis. The home is built from the same white stone. A center tower, eight stories in height surrounded by five smaller towers all sharing the central tower.

Opulent isn't the word to use. Thick carpeting, sweet smelling incense, bright colors, all the senses covered.

Give me moments to change and I'll introduce you to my man and the staff.

[Harrowed]

Serapis marches back downstairs a few minutes later having extracted herself from that dress in a remarkable amount of time. Even assuming that a small team was available to assist her.

She leads the Volunteers through her home, introducing them to servant after servant. The dead faces all start to blur together until she starts down a staircase that leads past several underground landings until reaching an oak door banded with steel straps. Pausing she knocks twice on the door and pauses a pregnant second before opening the thick, obviously heavy door.

The room is large, and wreathed in shadows cast from braziers set about the room near cobwebbed pillars. Tall, packed bookcases are also haphazardly scattered about the room, along with stacked piles of books and scrolls. Some piles of the books and scrolls are stacked higher than Avren.

Cramis. She uttered looking back and forth through the narrow gaps in the stacks and bookcases. The form seemed to step out of the shadow of a dusty bookcase and book pile and took the form of a very tall Sarcosian man with tattered and desiccated skin. His eyes glow a faint blue, illuminated the bare white bone of his cheeks and jaw. His clothing is dusty, and looks only slightly less cobwebbed then the bookcases but still has the appearance and cut of fine aristocratic wear.

My lady, his voice has a strange timber. His manner of speaking, while clear, seems almost unearthly. To what do I owe the pleasure of this interruption? I was deep in contemplation of the mysteries of the Spirits. Serapis motions towards the gathered Volunteers and waves an arm indicating the Volunteers to explain.

[Pheros]

Teliir had been torn about the Fell city and its occupants since her arrival.  In the North, the Fell were only another threat to be killed, as negotiation was useless.  But since childhood she had been curious as to the nature and the natural-ness of them.  Were they abominations, or just another natural state?  She was unsure.

Seeing the glow in the Sarcosian's eyes brought her the closest to a feeling of normalcy she had achieved since arriving in the city.  If they could use the magic of Aryth, how could they be unnatural?  She wasn't convinced, but hopeful.  And she was interested in speaking to this Cramis on topics other than those broached now.

As Serapis motions to her and her companions, Teliir's eyes quickly darted among them.  Shelg remained back in the shadows; Verador looked tense, unable to shake his profound (and understandable) hatred for the Fell; Avren's eyes spoke of a distrust of the magic wielded here.  It fell on her then.

"I am Teliir, from the forests of the Veradeen, far to the north.  My companions and I have been sent by the Witch Queen to locate a mine critical to our fight against the armies of the Shadow.  It is on the land claimed by your Queen, and we seek to parley for access to it, but the Shadow reaches far and His spies and agents are already here, to subvert our efforts.  Until this past week none from Caradul, to our knowledge, were aware of the existence of your city or civilization, and we came unprepared to deal with such events.  Lady Serapis has indicated you may be able to help us communicate with those in Caradul who sent us, so we may offer recognition and assistance to your people officially from our Queen.  Would you be able to aid us?"

[Harrowed]

"I am Teliir, from the forests of the Veradeen, far to the north.  My companions and I have been sent by the Witch Queen to locate a mine critical to our fight against the armies of the Shadow.  It is on the land claimed by your Queen, and we seek to parley for access to it, but the Shadow reaches far and His spies and agents are already here, to subvert our efforts.  Until this past week none from Caradul, to our knowledge, were aware of the existence of your city or civilization, and we came unprepared to deal with such events.  Lady Serapis has indicated you may be able to help us communicate with those in Caradul who sent us, so we may offer recognition and assistance to your people officially from our Queen.  Would you be able to aid us?"

Of course, a small task for allies of my Lady. I will require mental contact with one of you that knows the person to be contacted. However, I have been told that such contact with one of our kind can be unpleasant, and harmful. Which of you knows the people that you wish contacted?

[Doomed Hero]

"I do." Verador says flatly without hesitation. "Do what you must."

[Harrowed]

Cramis shrugged as if in resignation and stepped forward, dust shifting and motes sparkled as they fell from their resting places in the folds of his robes. Reaching out the robe slipped up his arm exposing more dessicated flesh and he grabbed onto Verador's shoulder with a hand that was mostly bone and dust.

An involuntary shudder ran through the fey warrior as he felt a cold, and emptiness. A bare winter plain without cold from the wind was what his mind kept locking onto as he tried to maintain his balance.

Cramis tipped his head of to one side as a spot of light appeared in the air. Councillor Lina's voice from the spot of light.

Who is this? How in the blazes did you get through my wards!

[arnon]

Shelg is uncomfortable. His eyes dart from shadow to shadow, searching for the threat that is surely there.

As Verador shudders under the Fell's touch Shelg steps to the sire of the elven warrior. Preparing himself...

[Doomed Hero]

Verador visibly forces himself into a calmer state. He had spoken with demon-spirits of the Aruun, and the servants of Xionne herself. He had trekked the dwarven halls of the dead and survived the blast of destroying a Black Mirror. He had heard Zaindal wail in Baden's Bluff and resisted the lure of the Green Lady of the Trollskarl. He had made his way across the continent, trecking through lands that would see him dead on sight, twice. He new fear well. A darker part of him even welcomed it. For the first time since leaving Caradul, he was actually beginning to relax. This sorcery was something he understood how to deal with.

"It is Verador, Councilor. We have come across a bit of a... snag. Are you alone?"

[Harrowed]

"It is Verador, Councilor. We have come across a bit of a... snag. Are you alone?"

Her voice sounds enraged. Alone. Why yes, I am alone, or was alone. Alone in bed and asleep deep in a dream when the stink of necrotic magic rolled in. Then the Queen's Guard are slamming into my door, and shifting through my walls. So no I'm not alone, in fact my bedroom is rather crowded at the moment. If you'll excuse me for a moment. Her voice shifts direction slightly.

This man is in service to the Council, and myself personally. The necrotic aura is the source, not the communication. He is in a dark, and evil place and he obviously needs assistance. I'm sure the resident Avatar is listening in, she's authorized the rest of you are not. You, by the door. Yes, you. Take your damned eyes off my chest and get out of my bedroom and house before I throw you out myself!

The seconds seem to count off, as the Volunteers wait they see the smile of amusement on Serapis's face and the impassive visage of Cramis.

I'm alone now, except for the Avatar, tell me what has happened.

[Doomed Hero]

Verador glances at Tellir, his face impassive but for a slight amused tightening around his eyes. He delivers his report with efficient crispness, a soldier reporting to a superior.

"The mine you sent us to sits beneath land claimed by a city of Fell. The Danisil knew about it. They led us here, though why they have not reported it's existence, I do not know. We have made peaceful contact with a representative of the city, a Fell noblewoman named Lady Serapis. We have spoken to their council, and they are reviewing our suit. The Legate, Jael, who nearly ended my mission to bring Woden's Scroll to the queen last year, the one who bore the crown I brought back, is apparently once more among the living. He beset us at the Keep of the Cataracts, and he is also here now, attempting to undermine our suit to the council. The Legates offer much and the council here does not seem to understand the threat they represent. We have been asked to make a counter offer. Something substantial enough to outweigh the lies spoken by the Legates."

[Harrowed]

Verador glances at Tellir, his face impassive but for a slight amused tightening around his eyes. He delivers his report with efficient crispness, a soldier reporting to a superior.

"The mine you sent us to sits beneath land claimed by a city of Fell. The Danisil knew about it. They led us here, though why they have not reported it's existence, I do not know. We have made peaceful contact with a representative of the city, a Fell noblewoman named Lady Serapis. We have spoken to their council, and they are reviewing our suit. The Legate, Jael, who nearly ended my mission to bring Woden's Scroll to the queen last year, the one who bore the crown I brought back, is apparently once more among the living. He beset us at the Keep of the Cataracts, and he is also here now, attempting to undermine our suit to the council. The Legates offer much and the council here does not seem to understand the threat they represent. We have been asked to make a counter offer. Something substantial enough to outweigh the lies spoken by the Legates."

A city of Fell? You've made peaceful contact? We knew had heard rumors about Fell, a large group dug into a city but we believed it to be on the other side of the mountains. Be that as it may, it is good to hear from you and damn those Danasil for not disclosing. They knew that city was there and they didn't inform us, or you. Bastards.

We need that Mithral, the formula you brought back is nothing without the material. Plus, the problem of the Legates getting a foothold on our southern border. I don not need to explain the problems that could cause. Have you discovered what it is that they want? What does a city of Fell need?

[Pheros]

Teliir looks down, grimaces, and looks at Cramis.

"Security...security, and, food.  If we can talk to the Danasil, we can offer the former, but the latter may be more difficult...we're not often in the business of taking prisoners.  How likely do you think you can get the Danasil to agree to something?

[Harrowed]

"Security...security, and, food.  If we can talk to the Danasil, we can offer the former, but the latter may be more difficult...we're not often in the business of taking prisoners.  How likely do you think you can get the Danasil to agree to something?

Relations are strained at the moment. They've been twisting requests and generally being resistant. The Danasil have always been free willed and objected to their war, as they call it, from being directed by Caradul. What about materials? We can funnel building materials, and supplies that they're unlikely to find in the jungle.

[arnon]

"Who said the 'food source' need be from prisoners taken? The Aruun is teeming, as I was told, by demons from times long ago. With the expertise of the danisil in their hunt... this could be an alliance well worth it for both side. If the Fell can use these demons as food source," he adds with a questioning look to their host.